A double bill of two thrilling and exploratory bands at the cutting edge of improvised music.
Anthropods is the new band from American drummer and composer Mark Holub, bandleader of acclaimed Mercury Prize nominees Led Bib. Their music is full of contrasts, from pastoral beauty to dense free improvisation, short punchy compositions and heavy grooves. It features musicians from the Vienna creative music scene, including violinist Irene Kepl, bass clarinetist Susanna Gartmayer (Vegetable Orchestra), cellist Clemens Sainitzer, and tenor sax player Jakob Gnigler.
‘And it is this European tradition, in which archaic folk music, kletzmer, roma, classical, and jazz musical traditions warp and blend that Anthropods (because the music just feels so much bigger than one member of the group) draw on to great effect.’ – Jazz Views
Sloth Racket are led by baritone saxophonist Cath Roberts (Quadraceratops, Favourite Animals), with Anton Hunter (Beats & Pieces Big Band, Article XI) on guitar, with Sam Andreae (Trio Riot) on tenor sax, Seth Bennett (Metamorphic) on bass, and Johnny Hunter (Nat Birchall, Revival Room) on drums. Mixing fiery free jazz, sparse, minimal improv, deep grooves and big riffs, they formed in 2015 and have played across the UK including appearances at London and Lancaster Jazz Festivals. A band with a strong Sheffield connection and five of the most energetic and creative improvisers in the UK.
'Sloth Racket produce sumptuous, mischievous music' – The Quietus
‘Watching Sloth Racket perform is a thrilling experience, conveying a palpable sense that the musicians are navigating the scores by the seat of their pants, making real-time group decisions that sculpt the compositions into unique shapes each time they’re played.’ – Daniel Spicer, The Wire